Three generations of the same Royston family are getting ready to tackle a charity walk in memory of a beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend.

Royston Crow: photos of Joy Jeray, Paul Jeray and Jessica Jeray.photos of Joy Jeray, Paul Jeray and Jessica Jeray. (Image: Archant)

Sarah Jeray was diagnosed with Freidriech’s Ataxia – a rare disease that causes nervous system damage and affects coordination and speech – at 13 and was confined to a wheelchair within two years, but her brother Paul said she ‘never let it get in the way’.

Sadly, there is currently no cure for the disease, and Sarah died in 2010 at the age of just 32, leaving the family heartbroken.

Her brother Paul Jeray, 42, a revenue control officer, said: “Sarah was very caring.

“She never let her illness get in the way of things. She always wanted to be independent – she had a good go of it.

“Towards the end she had moved out and she had 24 hour care and she bought herself a little dog, a Bichon Frise called Louie.

“She had him for three years, but my mum still has the dog. In a way they still have a part of Sarah with them in Louie.

“The last few years of her life were quite up and down.

“In 2007 she had a major operation to put rods in her back, then in 2009 she had a holiday of a lifetime in America, and swam with dolphins.”

The keen walkers set to take part in the City Bridges Challenge are mother Joy, sister Caroline, Caroline’s daughter Gemma Perkins, Paul, and his daughter Jessica.

The 6.3 mile walk across six bridges is taking place in London on Sunday and will raise money for Ataxia UK.

You can help the team raise money by visiting at www.justgiving.com and searching for their names.

There are estimated to be at least 10,000 adults and around 500 children in the UK with progressive ataxia.

Some forms of the condition are treatable, but in most cases there is still no cure.

Ataxia UK is supporting research and putting all efforts into trying to get treatments or cures – find out more at www.ataxia.org.uk.